Africa, Day 3-6

TENSION TRAINING

        

As the sun started to go down, I was able to pull out my Tension Training Tubes, and start a quick workout.  I mean, how often does one get the chance to work out, listening to Beyonce in the headphones, in Africa, surrounded by MONKEYS!  Those Dirty little bastards could not give a shit about my workout and me!  No wonder I suffer from Low self esteem!!

It really was an amazing way to work out.  It was so Tarzan-esq.

                                           See the monkey!!!

DAY 4 Wed July 6

MORNING COFFEE

Dad and I woke up early, before breakfast was ready, and was able to have our instant coffee at a table outside.  It was calm. And peaceful.  A great way to start the day

African Heritage Center

As we rolled along on our traveling day back the camp paradise, we stopped at the African Heritage center.  Where I was able to pick up just a few goodies!  (YES KIMMY, FOR YOU!!)  The place was full of shops and this AMAZING art museum where I was able to walk around and look at all this amazing African art both old and new.  Full of color, full of Life, full of history.  

The New School.

We went to visit a school that was being built today; it was amazing how resourceful this people can be, even though they have so little.  We met the principal and took a tour of the school.

Of course, my lack of attention got the best of me, 

and before I knew it, dad and I were pulling out the Polaroid camera and started taking pictures of the kids and then gave the Polaroid for them to keep  (A BIG SHOUT OUT TO PHYLIS FOR THE IDEA) IT was a BIG HIT!  Before I knew it, African kids all wanting their picture taken surrounded me.  It was SUCH and Angelina Jolie moment.  It was AWESOME!!

Our drivers have started to give us nicknames.  Dads nickname is Babu, which means grandpa in Swahili. I think it is a very cool name.  So they all call him BABU now!   Of course, I wanted to be called Beyonce, but the drivers collectively came up with the name SHAWRO BARRO, which is the young Swahili name for some one who is “ not like everyone else” likes music, and dance, and has colorful tattoos!  Well, That name is SO much better then Beyonce!! So now, I go by the name SHAWRO BARRO!!

As we loaded up and headed back towards the hotel, our driver, Maru, bought us a piece of grilled corn from someone on the street, he just called him over and got it for us.  It was hot off the grill; Babu tried to break it apart, but had to cool it down first. Then he had a great idea

Not the cleanest way to cool your corn, but it worked!!

FINALLY, back to Paradise, We came back to the Serena Mountain Lodge and I was back in my single room!   I FINALLY was back to the land of Internet!  SO EXCITED!!

After an incredible dinner with part of the group, I learned that one of the group, Mary, Not only has a Kick ass 40 foot RV, But it is also for sale!  Needless to say, we all had a discussion of RVS!  AHHHHHH kindred spirits!!

After dinner, I was back on the Internet and loaded up my blog!  It took longer then expected, and it was getting late!  Thank God I had Beans to ichat and remote my computer to help me through the rough patches 

I went back to the room, and tried to wash my clothes, and the sink plug broke, (of course) I was able to jimmy it from underneath and the washing continued.   I had to hang the shirts and pants inside the mosquito net and turn the ceiling fan on high to try to get the clothes dry before morning.

Day 5 Thursday July 7 Th

5:30 am came way early.  As I woke up in my wind tunnel, I was disappointed to realize that the clothes were NOT all dry. MOTHER FUCKER!!  So I put on the least wet ones, got ready, and packed up my shit to head over to breakfast early, so I could at least try to get back on the internet before breakfast was served, Yeah, That didn’t work.

Asthe group filed in, we started to share yet another fabulous meal. Day 4 into this adventure and the group is really starting to come together.  The personalities are coming out and the African tour family is emerging.  What started off as blank, strange faces, have now become interesting, loving individuals. 

I keep having  “moments of gratitude” when I become VERY thankful and ALWAYS make sure I say it aloud.  It is important to put into words what I am feeling in my heart!

Arusha National Park

This is where the safari really began for me.

Immediately driving into the park, we were greeted by so many species of animals gathered in one small space, on this small plain.  It was unbelievable!  It was like the animal kingdoms version of the food court at the mall.  All sorts gathered around eating.

We were greeted by a rare and up close site of 2 gay giraffes dancing with each other, 

….. Well, Ok, They weren’t actually gay, and they weren’t actually dancing, but they WERE two males, apparently fighting over whom would be the dominant male. 

Excuse my animal ignorance, you see, in San Francisco, figuring out the dominant male is quite easy, usually he is the one buying the drinks!

The giraffes were so beautiful up close, their hides were AMAZING, They were giant, gentle looking creatures, and I was shocked at their beauty, as I have never seen one so close.  In this beautiful moment, all that I could think of was:

“WOW, That Giraffe would make One Kick ASS RUG!!”

 More bird watcher watching!!!

Oh shit, they spotted the rare and fabulous blonde sparkled queer beak!

A rare and fabulous bird from northern California

Moving along, we ran into monkeys, Forgive me for not knowing the names, but it was way cool watching them swing from tree to tree

Then baboons crossing the road also greeted us.

We were all in awe and amazed and took so many photos.  By the way, I think Dad figured out a new name for his camera.  He seems to call it by name almost every time he takes a picture.  Apparently he lovingly calls his camera “FUCK” It seem that almost ever time he goes to take a picture All you can hear our of his mouth is  “FUCK!   FUCK, FUCK!! “

(Explanation, the camera freezes up on him, and he cusses at it.  and everyone was worried about MY cussing? )  I am afraid the people in our jeep may think dad has turrets syndrome.

                                              FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!!

So many amazing moments happened in the park, that I cant even put into words.  So here are some photos!

SO SASSY!!

     Trying to get Jim to engage his Psoas, to help with his back!

At lunch, which by the way, is the absolute WORST part of the trip.  These Box lunches are ALWAYS THE SAME, Same piece if shitty chicken, Same bread with eggplant, same banana. Same chips.  EVERY FUCKING DAY!!   I try so hard NOT to be ungrateful, but lunch has turned into such a joke, Its a shame, as all the other meals are WONDERFUL!  I CRINGE when I hear the words BOX LUNCH, and I watch in envy as I see other safari companies with Incredibly beautiful box lunches. So, this has been a challenge, and I am learning to cope!  But really folks,  IT SUCKS!!

After lunch,Dad was asked if some touring African teens could take pictures of him.  He thinks it was the hat that attracted to them to him.  He called me over, and before I knew it, we were surrounded by more and more teens snapping photos.  It got to be a little much for me and I headed back to the jeep!  Dad however, was having a blast!

I had had enough!

We stopped on the way at a souvenir place along the way and I bought a can of the Africafe instant coffee. As I know Laura Greenfield and I will enjoy it so much at work!  I cannot wait for her to try my new favorite instant coffee.  Really, I am not kidding, it is DELICIOUS!

As the jeeps were getting ready to pull out of the parking lot, Kurt handed Rob a bracelet from his jeep to our jeep and said  “give this to Matt”

It was a Massai bracelet. He had it from a real massai and was given to him like 20 years ago!   VERY COOL!!

Roika Tented Lodge!

We headed out of the park and moved on our way to the Roika Tented Lodge.  As we drove further and further out into what seemed to be no where, you could see real massai people in the fields with their goats, carrying water, Small huts made of sticks and mud.  It was so overwhelming. We drove and drove and ended up at the Roika Tented Lodge.

This place is Definitely been the highlight of the trip so far.  It is locally run and the place is so completely authentic that you are NOT even allowed to walk from your tent to the main lodge after dark for fear of elephant run ins, or lions.  In fact, on the way to the tents, you should see FRESH ELEPHANT DUNG on the pathways!  I SHIT you Not!!  (Good one!!)   IT is very cool, but also a little scary.  I literally am carrying my knife with me attached to my belt (thanks Benji for the knife) for fear that I may have to defend myself.  Nothing taste sweeter to a wild animal like the ripe tender flesh of a San Franciscan, although I hear, we taste like chicken!

Here are a few photos to show you what I mean:

DINNER

Dad and I unpacked and headed out to dinner.  We walked out the door and were promptly greeted by our guide PETRO, Who, with his spear and flashlight escorted us to dinner.  By the way, He LOVED the laser light.  And kept laughing about it the whole time!  Although he might have been laughing at how I would jump at every sound I would hear in the bushes!  No shit, we are SERIOUSLY out in the wilderness here!!  Dad found out that not only had he made his spear himself, but that he had also killed 2 lions with it.

Dad thought the story was amazing, while I was amazed at how the story just made me walk ALOT faster to get to dinner.

We all met up at the Bar, Seriously, this group is getting more and more fun!  I ordered my First Gin and Tonic, and ordered a double!  It was awesome!

Then we sat down to dinner! Which, by the way was AMAZING!!! 

I ended up asking for some more pasta, and they actually gave me ANOTHER full dinner, Which If I can be honest, was OK by Me! I ate it ALL!

As dinner was coming to an end, I said, 

“Ok, Its time to tell what your most magical moment of the day was!”

We all went around and told our moment!  And to tell you the truth, the most magical moment of the day for me, was that we were all sharing our magical moments!

 After we went around the table, I asked everyone to raid their glasses and made a toast to this wonderful day and this wonderful group!

A TRUE MOMENT OF GRATIITUDE!!

We headed back to our tent, and I took the most amazing bath in the huge huge tub!  IT was SO big, that I could lie down completely!  It was incredible.

Then, I zipped myself up into my Bad ass mosquito tent, and went to bed, With no music on, just the screens and the sounds of nature!  I slept like a baby!!

                                  BEFORE:

                                   AFTER:

 Day 6 Friday July 8^th 8:30 am.

Dad and I woke up at am today for a 6:30 breakfast time.  I slept incredibly well in my little tent for 1.  I decided last night, after discussing with Dad, that I would stay behind for today and enjoy all that this camp has to offer.  I have schedule a 4pm walking tour with a Maasai and will no doubt take a swim and even do some tension training on the porch of my hut.

I ate breakfast with the crew, and then made sure that I saw my new little family to their vehicles making sue that they were sent off with their usual morning deep inhalation oil.  This has become quite an important morning ritual, and it makes me so happy that they enjoy it!

As I waved goodbye to the crew, I headed back to my tent.

I had to wash the yellow vibrams and a shirt and stuff. 

I am now on the porch of this incredible patio of our little hut and am just amazed how I have NO DESIRE to put my music on.  The sounds of nature are so overwhelming that it would be a sin to listen to anything else.   After spending so much time with the bird watchers, I am hyper aware of the sounds the many different birds are making.  It is absolutely amazing and this new awareness is an unexpected gift that the birders have unknowingly bestowed upon me!   I am so in the moment right now that all I can feel is an overwhelming sense of peace and calm.

NOON

Well let’s see, What Have I done today so far?  Hmm, Wrote and organized my blog, but of course cant get on the Internet.  Worked out doing Tension Training out front of my tent

 Tried to swim, but the pool just looked to buggy for me,

Took yet ANOTHER Bath

And am now chilling enjoying the last of my battery power before I go and meet Carol ( bebe) for lunch, she too, stayed back for the day! Then after lunch, I will come back and take a nap!  AHHHHH, LIFE IS SO GOOD!!

Lunch was AWSEOME!!  It was such a pleasure to share a meal with carol! 

She is fabulous!

After lunch, I went back to the tent to chill for a bit,

 before I met up with carol again for our walking tour with the Maasi.

THE WALKING TOUR!

Now THIS was AMAZING!!

Carol and I met up with one of the lodge employees who served as our translator, and a Maassi warrior as our guide!  We headed out to the bush on foot for a two-hour walk, which was really one of the most amazing experiences so far!

Marina was our guide!  He was very stern and quiet at first, but as the walk continued, he started to come alive!  I learned so much about the Maasi people and the animals!   For example,

The reason the Maasai need to escort us in the fields, and to our tents at night, is not only because they can fight and kill the animals, but also because the animals can smell the Maasai, and they re afraid of the Massai.  This is because the Maasai live among them and hunt them regularly!

River Bridge

                 Maasai Warrior ( marino) and Me!

           Showing me how to kill a lion.

Someone likes my Shoes!!!

 ALOT!!!

 See how high we are? 

       He made me a toothbrush from a stick!

                                     

A small Maasai camp:

I bought some jewelry

I love this tree!

Who is this sassy explorer?

Ok, The internet is so painful this late at night, I need to continue on tomorrow night!